Locksmith? Top 10 FAQ’s you mast know before you hire one

Working with a professional locksmith is a team effort and though you touch none of the tools, your active participation is detrimental to the success of the project. In order to ensure that you are getting the very best services available, you will need to be constantly informed and below are 10 questions to ask your locksmith in this case.

10 Questions:

Where is your license?

The first and most important thing to ascertain is whether or not you are working with a legally recognized and certified professional. The best way to do this is by asking for proof through licensing papers and professional IDs.

How long have you been in the trade?

Asking this question is important as it allows you to gauge the locksmith’s level of experience. Granted, a long professional history is not always a foolproof guarantee of perfect services but it allows you to rest assured that you are working with someone who has been around long enough to know what they are doing.

Are you insured?

If the answer is yes then you are dealing with a great locksmith. Insurance protects you from being held liable in case of injury or damage during the project. In addition to the verbal affirmation, it is always a good idea to confirm by asking to see the insurance papers.

Is the damage fixable?

Another important question to ask is about the presence, extent and prognosis of damage on your lock especially if the services required are repair services. If the damage is not fixable, you might have to consider other options including complete lock replacement which might cost you more money.

How much will the services cost me?

Before the project starts, it is important to get an estimate of the costs that you will incur during the locksmith project on your property. This allows you to budget appropriately for prompt payment once everything is done.

Can I get a formal quote?

In addition to getting a price estimate, it is always a good idea to as for a formal quote. This serves as a protective document against the old bait and switch scam pulled by shady locksmiths.

When are you available?

This is an important question to ask in case you are ever in need of emergency services at odd times of the day. It goes without saying that working with a locksmith who is available around the clock is the safer bet.

What techniques and equipment are you using?

You don’t have to be a locksmith guru to make sense of the information that you will get after asking this question. All you have to do is a little comparative research to determine whether or not you are getting the best services possible.

Are you done yet?

This does not always signify impatience. It is actually a very important question to ask especially if the project is taking longer than either of you had expected. The answer will allow you to determine the cause of delay that will in turn determine whether or not you work with the same locksmith in future.

Do you work on retainer?

If you are satisfied with the work after all is said and done, this would be a great question to ask. Working with locksmiths on retainer ensures that in case of emergencies or urgent repairs, you will be considered a priority.

Bottom line

Satisfactory answering of these questions usually means that you will get services worth the invested amount and a lot more. It also ensures that the project is finished in a timely manner allowing you to resume normal day to day activities. Bottom line; don’t be shy. Make sure you ask question and are as actively involved in the process as possible without smothering the professional.

I like that you mentioned to get a formal quote so that you can have a good price estimate and know what you are paying for. I am looking for a locksmith that I can call in case I am ever locked out of my house. I will definitely make sure I choose somebody who offers a quote in advance of their service. Thanks for sharing.

My sister just discovered that she locked her keys in her truck, and we are trying to decide whether or not to call a locksmith. It is good to know that one should find out if the company is insured before committing to their work. Thanks for informing me that insurance protects me from being held liable in the case of injury or damage during the project. We will be sure to ask about this as we call and compare locksmith services.